MLB standings based on batting average: The Blue Jays are sitting pretty

The game of Major League Baseball has been shifting over the past two decades toward a much more analytics-based way of thinking. In the past, batting averages meant everything to determining how well a player/team is performing in any given season.

More recently, advanced statistics have begun to take over the game. To some, this is a blessing. To others, it is a curse. However, there's little denying that the game as we know it is deeper now than it has ever been before.

This is not to say that batting average no longer has its place in the game; a .300 hitter remains one of the more valuable assets on the diamond. What analytics aim to seek out is how a .240 hitter can also provide value to their respective teams. It is not a make-or-break stat, but teams near the top of the batting average leaderboards are typically the ones who are annual contenders in any given season.

MLB standings based off of batting average:

American League:

1. Toronto Blue Jays (.291)

2. Chicago White Sox (.287)

3. Tampa Bay Rays (.284)

4. Texas Rangers (.265)

5. Boston Red Sox (.256)

6. Baltimore Orioles (.254)

7. Cleveland Guardians (.253)

8. Houston Astros (.248)

9. New York Yankees (.245)

10. Los Angeles Angels (.243)

11. Minnesota Twins (.230)

12. Seattle Mariners (.222)

13. Oakland Athletics (.201)

14. Detroit Tigers (.201)

15. Kansas City Royals (.167)

How about that? The Blue Jays are atop the American League over the surprisingly strong White Sox club. While the club's pitching has had its fair share of issues, the amount of solid contact the offense is making is highly encouraging, especially from Matt Chapman, Kevin Kiermaier and Daulton Varsho. There are quite a few surprises in the early goings of the 2023 season, including the scuffling Yankees and Mariners, as well as the strong performances from the Rangers and Red Sox.

National League:

1. St. Louis Cardinals (.324)

2. Atlanta Braves (.290)

3. Milwaukee Brewers (.281)

4. Chicago Cubs (.273)

5. Philadelphia Phillies (.268)

6. San Francisco Giants (.263)

7. Cincinnati Reds (.261)

8. Los Angeles Dodgers (.252)

9. Colorado Rockies (.244)

10. Miami Marlins (.234)

11. San Diego Padres (.231)

12. Washington Nationals (.227)

13. Arizona Diamondbacks (.214)

14. Pittsburgh Pirates (.211)

15. New York Mets (.208)

Holy cow, these Cardinals are something else this year, huh? Despite internal conflicts surrounding manager Oli Marmol and Tyler O'Neill, the club has pushed forward and been one of the best offensive teams in the league. On the other side of that, the Mets, who were widely considered to be World Series favorites entering the year, have immensely struggled to start the year, although their 2-3 record may not show it.